Get Creative. Or Die.

It's an extreme statement, and there's a few steps missing here between lack of creativity and your demise.  Don't worry. If you're not creative today, you won't necessarily die tomorrow.

A question you may ask: "How does it work?  How can I get CREATIVE?"  

To some it may sound like a daunting task, to others it may flow naturally like breathing.  Where are you in that spectrum?  Rate yourself from 1-10, on average, on how creative of a person are you?  Typically, on average, I'm in the 7-8 range, but lots of times I've felt like a -3.  I do know that I work very well under pressure and time restraints, but it takes a lot out of me to get it done at the last minute.  For those of you on the lower range on a regular basis... why are you here?  What can you do to REGULARLY rate at least a 5?

Luckily I'm well-versed in the art and science of getting creative, or IDEATING.  Think back to when you were a kid, and you laid in the grass looking up at the clouds, and if you look long enough, you start to see dragons, or rabbits, or soup cans in the formation of the clouds.  Think of that when you start feeling uncreative.

So next time you're feeling lost, uncreative, and ridiculously lame, know that Gilpin has been there, and tried these things.

Supplies:

Sketchbook - you should have one by now!  If you don't, go get one as soon as you can.  My suggestion: Spiral Bound, and Small enough to carry around with you everywhere you go.

Drawing Tool - I used to draw exclusively with a fine point Sharpie for a while, then changed to the mechanical pencil.  Like night and day. My suggestion: Try different things, and see what you like to work with best. They are all different in the way they feel when drawing, so play around!

Magazine - Not a book, not a catalog.  A magazine.  There's so much variety between the pages, you're almost guaranteed to find some imagery that inspires you.  My suggestions: HOW, ComArts, Juxtapoz, Nylon, Flaunt.  But any magazine you like will work.

Music - Sometimes the music you choose can alter your thought process.  Many suggest listening to instrumental music, while others might prefer music that's familiar.  My suggestion: It all depends on what you're creating.  What are you trying to create? What is the design problem?  Are you making a font? Listen to Tupac.  Are you creating something for a business?  Listen to Cake.  Evaluate what you're working on, and what the objective is to determine what kind of music you're going to listen to.